2008.12.17 Nancy Parkhurst: threatened while walking

I have lived in the Morenci area all my life. Although I have taken proper measures to protect myself and my property, I have always felt the safety and security that this small, close-knit community offers. However, a recent incident has shaken my sense of safety and security.

I love living in this community, but there is someone around here who has made me feel insecure and uncomfortable. The incident that happened Sunday afternoon really scared me, and this is why I am writing this letter.

I was taking a walk down Coomer Street toward Weston Road when a white male in a newer model van approached me. I thought he was stopping and staring at me because I was on the side of the road, so I moved over in the grass, but that was not the case. Another vehicle came along, forcing him to move and I continued on my way.

To my surprise, he turned around and came back. Fortunately for me, when he got close enough to stop, another vehicle turned off Weston Road toward me and scared him off again. This happened three times, but before he finally gave up, I was in the grass close to the house on the corner of Coomer and Weston and I kept turning around to see where he was. Since I was close to safety, I saw him pull down Fay Highway, drive past the house on the corner and stop and just sit there. It was as though he was watching me with a pair of binoculars for about 30 seconds. Then he honked his horn, like “See you later,” and left.

As I stated earlier, I take proper cautions to protect myself, as any other citizen does, but I think it is a shame that I feel I have to be looking over my shoulder in whatever I do now in our community or I have to change my everyday walk that I enjoy so much. I will protect myself from harm now. I do not know what this man’s agenda is, but his actions toward me were threatening and I want to warn others.